Resealable Spout for Selectively Accessing Coconut Water within a Coconut

ABSTRACT

A resealable spigot for a coconut that provides easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut includes a valve seat positioned within a coconut aperture and a plunger sleeve positioned within the valve seat. The plunger sleeve has a based positioned membrane that seals the coconut aperture, A plunger-stopper is tethered to the plunger sleeve for shipping and storage and is used by the consumer to pierce the plunger sleeve membrane to gain access to the coconut water. The plunger sleeve is also used to reseal the coconut aperture to preserve any remaining coconut water for future consumption. Further provided is an additional embodiment for a spigot comprising a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on the other with a through bore therebetween. The coconut having a partially inserted spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains access to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot to its seated position with a grommet provided as an insertion stop for the spigot. An optional air vent is provided to aid in fluid flow from the spigot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuing application of application Ser.No. 13/839,516, filed Mar. 15, 2013, published as US2014/0044848A1, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,049,885, which is a continuation of and is related toInternational application no. PCT/US11/47147 filed on Aug. 9, 2011,published as WO2013/022439; application Ser. No. 13/839,516 is also acontinuation of U.S. utility application Ser. No. 12/793,097 filed onJun. 3, 2010; all of which are incorporated herein by reference inentirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to spigots and, morespecifically, to a spigot for a coconut that provides easy access byconsumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut. The spigot iscomprised of a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on theother with a through bore therebetween. A retaining ring is alsoprovided as a stop for the spigot. A spigot cap is placed over thespigot and covered with a protective member.

The coconut having a spigot is provided to the consumer whereby theconsumer gains access to the sterile coconut water by pushing thepartially inserted spigot to its seated position.

Initially the spigot is inserted through the husk and into the coconutmeat having a length of un-inserted conduit extending from the exterior.The spigot remains within the coconut meat until time of use maintainingthe sterile condition of the coconut water until selective consumptionby the consumer.

The present invention further provides for an optional air vent andstraw that optionally provides for a filter to prevent pulp from beingdrawn into the straw.

Further provided are the additional elements of a coconut stand andhandle mountable to the coconut and a spigot having a plunger movablefrom a fluid blocking position within the spigot to an unblockingposition so that the coconut water can be poured into a glass.

SUMMARY

A primary object of the present invention is to provide spigot access tothe coconut water within a coconut.

Another object of the present invention is to provide access to coconutwater within a coconut by initially inserting the spigot through thehusk and into the coconut meat without piercing the coconut watercavity.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spigothaving a cap that is placed over the partially inserted spigot toprevent casual displacement of the spigot during shipping and handling.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spigota protective member serving as a tamper evident seal.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide easy accessby consumers to the coconut water within a coconut without compromisingits sterile contents.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spigot thatwill provide access to the coconut water within a coconut by a consumerpressing the spigot through the remained of the coconut meat and intothe coconut water cavity.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an optionalair vent having a resealable aperture.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a strawthat may have a filter on one end to prevent pulp from being drawn in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand for acoconut.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a handleattachable to a coconut.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spigothaving a plunger that is movable from a blocking position to anunblocking position so that the coconut water can be poured into aglass.

The foregoing and related objects are achieved by the present invention,which provides a resealable spout for selectively accessing coconutwater within a coconut having a spigot for a coconut that allows easyaccess by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut. Thespigot is comprised of a conduit having a lance on one end and a flangeon the other having a through bore therebetween. A retaining ring ispro-vided as a stop for the spigot. A spigot cap is placed over thespigot and covered with a protective member. The coconut having a spigotis provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains easy access tothe sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot toits seated position.

More particularly, the spigot of the present invention is preferablycomprised of a valve seat positioned within a coconut aperture and aplunger sleeve positioned within the valve seat. The plunger sleeve hasa based positioned membrane that seals the coconut aperture. Aplunger-stopper is tethered to the plunger sleeve for shipping andstorage and is used by the consumer to pierce the plunger sleevemembrane to gain access to the coconut water. The plunger sleeve is alsoused to reseal the coconut aperture to preserve any remaining coconutwater for future consumption.

Further provided is an additional, preferred embodiment for a spigotcomprising a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on theother with a through bore there between. The coconut having a partiallyinserted spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gainsaccess to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially insertedspigot to its seated position with a grommet provided as an insertionstop for the spigot. An optional air vent is provided to aid in fluidflow from the spigot.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentwhen considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figureswhich illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures areintended to illustrate only certain embodiments of the claimed inventionand are not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals and symbols denotesimilar features throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a coconut with and without the coconuthusk providing means for accessing the coconut water when desired;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of the present invention in use;

FIG. 3 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partialinserted into a coconut;

FIG. 4 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partialinserted into a coconut;

FIG. 5 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partialinserted into a coconut with spigot cap removed;

FIG. 6 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot insertedinto the coconut water cavity.

FIG. 7 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partiallyinserted into the coconut;

FIG. 8 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partialinserted into a coconut;

FIG. 9 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partiallyinserted into the coconut;

FIG. 10 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot fullyinserted into the coconut cavity;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view of the present invention in use;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary view of the present invention in use;

FIG. 13 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partialinserted into a coconut;

FIG. 14 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partialinserted into a coconut;

FIG. 15 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot partialinserted into a coconut with cap removed;

FIG. 16 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot insertedinto the coconut water cavity;

FIG. 17 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigotpartially inserted into the coconut;

FIG. 18 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigotpartially inserted into the coconut;

FIG. 19 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigotpartially inserted into the coconut;

FIG. 20 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot fullyinserted into the coconut cavity;

FIG. 21 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot insertedinto the coconut water cavity;

FIG. 22 is an elevational, sectional view of the coconut spigot insertedinto the coconut water cavity;

FIG. 23 is an elevational, sectional view of a coconut having a strawwith slits and a closed end;

FIG. 24 is an exemplary view of a stand and handle for a coconut;

FIG. 25 is a prospective, exemplary of an alternate preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a prospective, exemplary view of the plunger-stopperproviding access to the coconut water;

FIG. 27 is an elevational, exemplary view of the resealable spout inuse;

FIG. 28 is a prospective, exemplary view of the coconut resealed forfuture consumption;

FIG. 29 is an exploded, elevational view of an alternate preferredembodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 30 is an exploded, elevational view of an alternate preferredembodiment of the present invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now, in detail, to an analysis of the drawing figures, FIG. 1 isa sectional view of a coconut with and without the coconut huskproviding means for accessing the coconut water when desired. Thepresent invention 10 provides a spigot 28 that is partially insertedinto the coconut meat 22 and then shipped to consumers who then completeinserting the spigot 28 through the coconut meat 22 into the coconutcavity 24 providing access to the sterile coconut water 26. Asillustrated, the present invention provides that the spigot 28 can beused with coconuts 14 having husk 16 or with the husk removed leavingthe coconut seed having coconut seed-case 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention 10, which provides a spigot 28that is partially imbedded into a coconut seed 18 so that a consumer 12can gain access to the coconut water 26 by completing the insertion ofthe spigot 28 through the coconut meat.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into acoconut showing the present invention 10 as having means for a consumerto easily extract coconut water 26 from coconut cavity 24 by partiallyinserting a spigot 28 comprising spout 30, conduit 32 having spike-tip34 through grommet 36 and coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20and into the coconut meat 22 and then covering the spigot 28 with spigotcap 38 having flange 40 frictionally engaging grommet 36 and aprotective member in cap seal 42. Alternately provided is air valve 44having tethered bung 46 for bleeding air into the coconut cavity 24 asthe coconut water 26 is removed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into acoconut. Illustrated is the cap seal 42 removed from its seatedposition. Cap seal 42 serves as a tamper evident covering for theconsumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap 38 prior toconsumer access. The present invention 10 provides means for a consumerto easily extract coconut water 26 from coconut cavity 24 by partiallyinserting spigot 28 comprising spout 30, conduit 32 having spike-tip 34through grommet 36 and coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 andinto the coconut meat 22 and then covering the spigot 28 with spout cap38 having flange 40 frictionally engaging grommet 36 and a protectivemember 42. Alternately provided is air valve 44 having tethered bung 46for bleeding air into the coconut cavity 24 as the coconut water 26 isremoved.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into acoconut with spigot cap removed. With the cap seal removed the spigotcap 38 having flange 40 frictionally engaging grommet 36 is removedproviding access to spigot 28, comprising spout 30, conduit 32terminating in spike-tip 34 that has been positioned within coconut meat22 of coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 wherethen the consumercan easily push spigot 28 through the remainder of coconut meat 22 intothe coconut water cavity 24 thereby having access to the sterile coconutwater 26. Alternately provided is air valve 44 having tethered bung 46for bleeding air into the coconut cavity 24 as the coconut water 26 isremoved.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into thecoconut water cavity. Illustrated is spigot 28 comprising spout 30 andconduit 32 terminating in spike-tip 34 fully inserted through coconutmeat 22 into the coconut cavity 24 of coconut seed 18 having coconutseed-case 20 thereby providing access to coconut water 26. Grommet 36serves as attachment for the spigot cap and as a stop for completing theinsertion of spigot 28 into coconut cavity 24.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted intothe coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal 42 removed from its seatedposition. Cap seal 42 serves as a tamper evident covering for theconsumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap 38 prior toconsumer access. The present invention 10 provides means for a consumerto easily extract coconut water via partially inserting spigot 28comprising spout 30, conduit 32 having spike-tip 34 through grommet 36and coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 and into the coconutmeat 22 and then covering the spigot 28 with spout cap 38 having flange40 frictionally engaging grommet 36 and a protective member 42.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into acoconut. Shown is the cap seal removed from spigot cap 38 with flange 40fractionally engaging grommet 36 preventing casual displacement ofspigot 28 during shipping and handling. Spigot 28 is comprised of spout30 and conduit 32 terminating in spike-tip 34. Spigot 28 is insertedtrough grommet 36 into coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 untilspike-tip 34 is imbedded in coconut meat 22 without compromising thecoconut cavity having the coconut water therein.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted intothe coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal and spigot cap 38 having flange40 removed from its frictional engagement with grommet 36 therebyproviding access to spigot 28, comprising spout 30, conduit 32terminating in spike-tip 34 that has been positioned within coconut meat22 of coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 wherethen the consumercan easily push spigot 28 through the remainder of coconut meat 22 intothe coconut water cavity to access the sterile coconut water.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot fully inserted intothe coconut cavity. Illustrated is spigot 28 comprising spout 30 andconduit 32 terminating in spike tip 34 fully inserted through coconutmeat 22 into the coconut cavity of coconut seed 18 having coconutseed-case 20 thereby providing access to coconut water. Grommet 36serves as attachment for the spigot cap and as a stop for completing theinsertion of spigot 28 by the consumer into the coconut cavity.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view of the present invention in use, in whichthe present is shown as including a spigot 28 that is partially imbeddedinto a coconut 14 having coconut husk 16 so that a consumer 12 can gainaccess to the coconut water 26 by completing the insertion of the spigot28 through the coconut meat 22 into coconut cavity 24. Coconut 14 hascoconut husk 16 encasing coconut seed 18 having seed-case 20. Thepresent invention provides for the present invention with husk 16 orwithout husk 16 as previously illustrated. Grommet 32 is placed oncoconut husk 16 and spigot 28 is inserted through husk 16 and coconutseed 18 having seed-case 20 into coconut meat 22 so that consumer 12 caneasily complete the spigot insertion into coconut cavity 24 to accesscoconut water 26.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary view of the present invention 10 as includingmeans for a consumer to easily extract the coconut water 26 of coconut14 from coconut cavity 24 by partially inserting a spigot 28 comprisingspout 30, conduit 32 having spike-tip 34 through grommet 36, coconuthusk 16, coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 and into thecoconut meat 22 and then covering spigot 28 with spigot cap 38 havingflange 40 frictionally engaging grommet 36 and a cap seal. Alternatelyprovided is air valve 44 having tethered bung 46 for bleeding air intothe coconut cavity 24 as the coconut water 26 is removed.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted intoa coconut. The present invention 10 provides means for a consumer toeasily extract coconut water 26 from coconut 14 having husk 16 bypartially inserting a spigot 28 comprising spout 30, conduit 32 havingspike-tip 34 through grommet 36, coconut husk 16 and coconut seed 18having coconut seed-case 20 and into the coconut meat 22 and thencovering the spigot 28 with spigot cap 38 having flange 40 frictionallyengaging grommet 36 and a protective member in cap seal 42. Alternatelyprovided is air valve 44 having tethered bung 46 for bleeding air intothe coconut cavity 24 as the coconut water 26 is removed.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted intoa coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal 42 removed from its seatedposition. Cap seal 42 serves as a tamper evident covering for theconsumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap 38 prior toconsumer access. The present invention 10 provides means for a consumerto easily extract coconut water 26 from coconut cavity 24 by partiallyinserting spigot 28 comprising spout 30, conduit 32 having spike-tip 34through grommet 36 into coconut 14 having coconut husk 16 and coconutseed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 and into the coconut meat 22 andthen covering the spigot 28 with spout cap 38 having flange 40frictionally engaging grommet 36 and a protective member 42. Alternatelyprovided is air valve 44 having tethered bung 46 for bleeding air intothe coconut cavity 24 as the coconut water 26 is removed.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted intoa coconut with cap removed. With the cap seal removed the spigot cap 38having flange 40 frictionally engaging grommet 36 is removed providingaccess to spigot 28, comprising spout 30, conduit 32 terminating inspike-tip 34 that has been positioned within coconut meat 22 of coconut14 having husk 16 and coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20wherethen the consumer can easily push spigot 28 through the remainderof coconut meat 22 into the coconut water cavity 24 thereby havingaccess to the sterile coconut water 26. Alternately provided is airvalve 44 having tethered bung 46 for bleeding air into the coconutcavity 24 as the coconut water 26 is removed.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into thecoconut water cavity. Illustrated is spigot 28 comprising spout 30 andconduit 32 terminating in spike-tip 34 fully inserted through coconutmeat 22 into the coconut cavity 24 of coconut 14 having husk 16encompassing coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 therebyproviding access to coconut water 26. Grommet 36 serves as attachmentfor the spigot cap and as a stop for completing the insertion of spigot28 into coconut cavity 24.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially insertedinto the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal 42 removed from its seatedposition. Cap seal 42 serves as a tamper evident covering for theconsumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap 38 prior toconsumer access. The present invention 10 provides means for a consumerto easily extract coconut water via partially inserting spigot 28comprising spout 30, conduit 32 having spike-tip 34 positioned throughgrommet 36 situated on coconut 14 husk 16 encompassing coconut seed 18having coconut seed-case 20 and into the coconut meat 22 and thencovering the spigot 28 with spout cap 38 having flange 40 frictionallyengaging grommet 36 and covered by cap seal 42.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially insertedinto the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal and spigot cap 38 havingflange 40 removed from its factional engagement with grommet 36 therebyproviding access to spigot 28, comprising spout 30, conduit 32terminating in spike-tip 34 that has been positioned within coconut meat22 of coconut 14 having husk 16 encompassing coconut seed 18 havingcoconut seed-case 20 where then the consumer can easily push spigot 28through the remainder of coconut meat 22 into the coconut water cavityto access the sterile coconut water.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially insertedinto the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal and spigot cap 38 havingflange 40 removed from its factional engagement with grommet 36 therebyproviding access to spigot 28, comprising spout 30, conduit 32terminating in spike-tip 34 that has been positioned within coconut meat22 of coconut 14 having husk 16 encompassing seed 18 having coconutseed-case 20 wherethen the consumer can easily push spigot 28 throughthe remainder of coconut meat 22 into the coconut water cavity to accessthe sterile coconut water.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot fully inserted intothe coconut cavity. Illustrated is spigot 28 comprising spout 30 andconduit 32 terminating in spike-tip 34 fully inserted through coconutmeat 22 into the coconut cavity of coconut 14 having coconut husk 16encompassing coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 therebyproviding access to coconut water. Grommet 36 serves as attachment forthe spigot cap and as a stop for completing the insertion of spigot 28into the coconut cavity.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of an additional element comprising closablegrommet and straw. The present invention 10 alternately provides forspigot 28 having spout 30 with closable bung 46, conduit 32 terminatingin spike-tip 34 placed through grommet 36 and coconut seed 18 havingcoconut seed-case 20 through coconut meat 22 and into coconut cavity 24where then the consumer can extract the coconut water through straw 48having filter 50 to prevent pulp from being drawn into the straw.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of an additional element comprising closablegrommet and straw. The present invention 10 also provides for spigot 28having spout 30 with closable bung 46, conduit 32 terminating inspike-tip 34 placed through grommet 36 positioned on coconut 14 havinghusk 16 encompassing coconut seed 18 having coconut seed-case 20 throughcoconut meat 22 and into coconut cavity 24 where then the consumer canextract the coconut water through straw 48 having filter 50 to preventpulp from being drawn into the straw.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into thecoconut water cavity. Illustrated is spigot 28 comprising spout 30 andconduit 32 terminating in spike-tip 34 fully inserted through coconutmeat 22 into the coconut cavity 24 of coconut seed 18 having coconutseed-case 20 thereby providing access to coconut water 26 via straw 48having filter 50. Grommet 36 serves as attachment for the spigot cap andas a stop for completing the insertion of spigot 28 into coconut cavity24 with bung 46 serving as closure to keep any unconsumed coconut fresh.

FIG. 24 is an illustrative view of additional elements of the presentinvention. More particularly, the present invention 10 provides for acoconut stand 52 and coconut handle 54 as a convenience for accessingthe coconut water. Further provided is spigot 28 having a plunger 56that seals spigot 28 to keep the coconut water fresh until the plungeris selectively removed from the spigot conduit where then the consumercan dispenses the coconut water into glass 58.

FIG. 25 is an illustrative view of an alternate preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Shown is coconut 20 having aperture 60 placedwithin the wall having a predetermined diameter so that valve plug 80seats within said aperture with valve plug collar 82 substantiallyengaging the wall of aperture 60. Valve plug 80 has valve plug bore 84for receiving plunger sleeve 72 having plunger sleeve bore 74 with abased positioned plunger sleeve membrane 78 that seals the coconut'scontents until plunger stopper 62 having plunger-stopper lance 68 andplunger-stopper lance tip 70 is used to puncture plunger sleeve membrane78 thereby providing access to the coconut water contained within thecoconut. Plunger-stopper 62 is tethered via 66 to plunger sleeve 72. Theplunger-stopper 72 serves to provide access to the coconut's contentsand also serves as stopper to seal any remaining coconut contents forfuture use by providing plunger-stopper 64 that seals plunger sleevebore 74.

FIG. 26 is an illustrative view of the plunger-stopper providing accessto the coconut water. Coconut 20 has a tooled aperture 60 placed throughthe seed wall having a predetermined diameter so that valve plug 80 canbe pressed into said aperture so that the valve plug collar 82 engagesthe top periphery wall of said coconut aperture 60 while the valve plugflange engages the interior periphery wall of said coconut aperture 60.Plunger sleeve 72 is seated within valve plug bore 84, shown in FIG. 30,having a base positioned plunger sleeve membrane 78 that seals thecoconut's contents.

FIG. 27 is an illustrative view of the resealable spout in use. Thecoconut water can be selectively accessed by user 12 once membrane 78has been punctured using plunger-stopper tip 70. Plunger-stopper 62 alsoprovides collar 64 having similar diameter as plunger sleeve bore 74 sothat the bore spout can be resealed to preserve any remaining coconutwater for future consumption.

FIG. 28 is an illustrative view of the coconut resealed for futureconsumption. Using the tethered plunger stopper 62, the user 12 canselectively pierce the plunger sleeve membrane 78 allowing access to adesired portion of the coconut water and then reseal the coconut byinserting plunger stopper 62 into the plunger sleeve bore 74 therebypreserving the coconut water for later consumption.

FIG. 29 is an illustrative view of an alternate preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Shown is coconut 20 having aperture 60 placedwithin the wall having a predetermined diameter so that valve plug 80seats within said aperture with valve plug collar 82 substantiallyengaging the wall of aperture 60. Valve plug 80 has valve plug bore 84for receiving plunger sleeve 72 having plunger sleeve bore 74 with abased positioned plunger sleeve membrane 78 that seals the coconut'scontents until plunger stopper 62 having plunger-stopper lance 68 andplunger-stopper lance tip 70 is used to puncture plunger sleeve membrane78 thereby providing access to the coconut water contained within thecoconut. Plunger-stopper 62 is tethered via 66 to plunger sleeve 72. Theplunger-stopper 72 serves to provide access to the coconut's contentsand also serves as stopper to seal any remaining coconut contents forfuture use by providing plunger-stopper 64 that seals plunger sleevebore 74.

FIG. 30 is an illustrative view of an alternate preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Shown is coconut 20 having aperture 60 placedwithin the wall having a predetermined diameter so that valve plug 80seats within said aperture with valve plug collar 82 substantiallyengaging the wall of aperture 60. Valve plug 80 has valve plug bore 84for receiving plunger sleeve 72 having plunger sleeve bore 74 with abased positioned plunger sleeve membrane 78 that seals the coconut'scontents until plunger stopper 62 having plunger-stopper lance 68 andplunger-stopper lance tip 70 is used to puncture plunger sleeve membrane78 thereby providing access to the coconut water contained within thecoconut. Plunger-stopper 62 is tethered via 66 to plunger sleeve 72. Theplunger-stopper 72 serves to provide access to the coconut's contentsand also serves as stopper to seal any remaining coconut contents forfuture use by providing plunger-stopper 64 that seals plunger sleevebore 74.

While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that manymodifications may be made to the present invention without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Coconut With Spigot of the present invention-   12 consumer-   14 coconut-   16 coconut husk-   18 coconut seed-   20 coconut seed-case-   22 coconut meat-   24 coconut seed-case cavity-   26 coconut water-   28 spigot-   30 spout-   32 conduit-   34 spike-tip-   36 grommet-   38 spigot cap-   40 cap flange-   42 cap seal-   44 air valve-   46 tethered bung-   48 straw-   50 straw filter-   52 stand-   54 handle-   56 plunger-   58 glass-   60 coconut aperture-   62 plunger-stopper-   64 plunger-stopper collar-   66 plunger-stopper tether-   68 plunger-stopper lance-   70 plunger-stopper lance tip-   72 plunger sleeve-   74 plunger sleeve bore-   76 plunger sleeve flange-   78 plunger sleeve membrane-   80 valve plug-   82 valve plug collar-   84 valve plug flange-   86 pressure

1.-33. (canceled)
 34. A method for providing a self-contained,consumer-ready product from a coconut that has a seed-case, a layer ofcoconut meat inside of the seed-case, and an internal cavity containingsterile coconut water, in a condition that is ready for a consumer toaccess and remove the sterile water within the coconut, the methodcomprising: (a) forming an aperture that extends through the seed-caseof the coconut but does not extend through the layer of coconut meat,thereby maintaining the sterility of the coconut water; (b) affixing tothe coconut, so as to surround the aperture, a collar member that has acentral passageway generally aligned with the aperture, the collarmember likewise not extending through the layer of coconut meat, therebyproducing a pre-product in a first location and maintaining thesterility of the coconut water; and (c) associating, with the coconutpre-product of paragraph (b), a pre-selected plunger member thatincludes an elongated lance member that is configured to slide withinthe collar member and has a length that is sufficient to penetratethrough the layer of coconut meat and into the internal cavitycontaining the sterile water, when inserted through the aperture andpushed in the direction of the collar member by a consumer in adifferent second location, to provide a self-contained, consumer-readyproduct.
 35. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the collar membercomprises a generally flat flange member that is adapted to lie againstthe coconut outer shell, and a tubular extension extending from the sideof the flange member that faces the coconut and being inserted into theaperture, and wherein the tubular extension includes at least oneexternal ring-like ridge extending around the extension for frictionallyengaging the wall of the aperture.
 36. A method as recited in claim 35,wherein the collar member comprises a single piece.
 37. A method asrecited in claim 35, wherein the collar member comprises a plurality ofpieces.
 38. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the distal end ofthe elongated lance member of the plunger member comprises a sharp edge.39. A method as recited in claim 38, wherein the plunger membercomprises a hollow center recess for receiving severed coconut meat. 40.A method as recited in claim 35, wherein the generally flat flangemember of the collar member sits essentially flush with the coconutshell when the collar member is affixed to the coconut.
 41. A method asrecited in claim 34, further comprising: (d) placing the consumer-readyproduct of paragraph (c) into commerce to be distributed to consumers.42. A method as recited in claim 34, further comprising: (e)associating, with the coconut pre-product of paragraph (b), a removableclosure member adapted to selectively close the central passageway ofthe collar member.
 43. A method as recited in claim 42, wherein theremovable closure member and the plunger member are connected to oneanother.
 44. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the centralpassageway through the collar member is closed by a frangible membraneto form a hermetic seal.
 45. A method as recited in claim 37, whereinthe central passageway through the collar member is closed by afrangible membrane to form a hermetic seal.